Short answer: the JBL 4645C if sound quality matters most, the Chase Home Theater SS18.1 if price matters most. The JBL 4645C ranks #24 of 110 subwoofers, rated 4.4/5, at $4999. The Chase Home Theater SS18.1 ranks #32, rated 4.3/5, at $2499, $2500 cheaper.

What the Chase Home Theater SS18.1 gets right: 18-inch sealed driver delivers 125.2dB CEA-2010-A average from a dedicated cinema-style sealed cabinet. The catch: Passive design needs external amplification, 41 kg (90.4 lbs) weight, and sealed design room modes.
One note: the Chase Home Theater SS18.1 is no longer sold new, but at #32 of 110 subwoofers by sound quality it still outranks most current models, so used is worth considering.
Buy the Chase Home Theater SS18.1 when the price outweighs sound quality for you, and the JBL 4645C when sound quality outweighs the price instead.
Want more options? Browse the full Subwoofers rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Chase Home Theater SS18.1 | JBL 4645C | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $2499 Passive, Discontinued | $4999 Passive |
| Ranked | #32 of 110 in Large Home Subwoofers (Over 75 lbs) | #24 of 110 in Large Home Subwoofers (Over 75 lbs) |
| Enclosure | sealed | ported, front |
| Passive | Yes | Yes |
| Output SPL at 12.5 Hz | 92.8 dB | - |
| Output SPL at 15 Hz | 97.2 dB | - |
| Output SPL at 20 Hz | 101.3 dB | 98.9 dB |
| Output SPL at 25 Hz | 106.0 dB | 114.0 dB |
| Output SPL at 31.5 Hz | 111.6 dB | 118.7 dB |
| Output SPL at 40 Hz | 118.2 dB | 122.0 dB |
| Output SPL at 50 Hz | 123.6 dB | 123.7 dB |
| Output SPL at 63 Hz | 128.1 dB | 129.7 dB |
| Output SPL at 80 Hz | 130.8 dB | 133.9 dB |
| Output SPL at 100 Hz | 132.6 dB | 135.1 dB |
| Output SPL at 125 Hz | 133.7 dB | 135.8 dB |
| CEA-2010-A Average (40-80Hz) | 125.2 dB | 127.3 dB |
| Dimensions | 22"H x 24"W x 22"D (558.8 x 609.6 x 558.8 mm) | 39.7"H x 26.5"W x 17.7"D (1009.6 x 673.1 x 450.8 mm) |
| Measurement Source | Data-bass | Data-bass |
| Discontinued | Yes | - |
| Weight | 89.9 lbs (40.8 kg) | 138 lbs (62.6 kg) |
| Drivers | 18" (457mm) driver | 18" (457mm) driver |
| Country | USA | United States |
| Warranty | - | 5/3/2 |
| Cabinet Color | - | black |
Related Speaker Comparisons
How JBL 4645C compares with other leading options:
- JBL 4645C vs WW Speaker Cabinets X21 - B&C 21DS115-4
- JBL 4645C vs Pro Audio Technology LFC-24sm
- JTR Speakers Captivator S2 vs JBL 4645C
- JBL 4645C vs JTR Speakers Growler (2015)
- Danley Sound Labs DTS10 vs JBL 4645C
Prices on this page were last checked September 23, 2026 at 11:24 PM UTC. Product prices and availability are accurate as of that date/time and are subject to change; the price and availability shown on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
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The Two Speakers In Full
Chase Home Theater SS18.1: $2499 Passive, Discontinued eBay
Pros: 18-inch sealed driver delivers 125.2dB CEA-2010-A average from a dedicated cinema-style sealed cabinet.
Cons: Passive design needs external amplification, 41 kg weight, and sealed design room modes. Discontinued.
Full Chase Home Theater SS18.1 review and specifications →
| CEA-2010-A Average (40-80Hz) | 125.2 dB |
|---|---|
| Country | USA |
| Dimensions | 22"H x 24"W x 22"D (558.8 x 609.6 x 558.8 mm) |
| Discontinued | Yes |
| Drivers | 18" (457mm) driver |
| Enclosure | sealed |
| Measurement Source | Data-bass |
| Output SPL at 12.5 Hz | 92.8 dB |
| Output SPL at 15 Hz | 97.2 dB |
| Output SPL at 20 Hz | 101.3 dB |
| Output SPL at 25 Hz | 106.0 dB |
| Output SPL at 31.5 Hz | 111.6 dB |
| Output SPL at 40 Hz | 118.2 dB |
| Output SPL at 50 Hz | 123.6 dB |
| Output SPL at 63 Hz | 128.1 dB |
| Output SPL at 80 Hz | 130.8 dB |
| Output SPL at 100 Hz | 132.6 dB |
| Output SPL at 125 Hz | 133.7 dB |
| Passive | Yes |
| Weight | 89.9 lbs (40.8 kg) |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Independently measured by Data-bass; the published figures above come from this ASR subwoofer measurement thread.
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Chase Home Theater SS18.1 vs Reaction Audio PV-15X
- Chase Home Theater SS18.1 vs Monoprice Monolith 16 THX Ultra
- Chase Home Theater SS18.1 vs Danley Sound Labs DTS10
- Chase Home Theater SS18.1 vs HSU Research VTF-15H MK2
- Chase Home Theater SS18.1 vs JTR Speakers Growler (2015)
- Chase Home Theater SS18.1 vs HSU Research VTF-3 MK5 HP
- Chase Home Theater SS18.1 vs JTR Speakers Captivator S2
- Chase Home Theater SS18.1 vs Pro Audio Technology LFC-24sm
- See all 9 comparisons
JBL 4645C: $4999 Passive eBay
Pros: Independent CEA-2010 testing records 98.9 dB at 20 Hz and 127.3 dB through 40-80 Hz. The ported, front enclosure with 18” (457mm) driver is best suited to upper-bass support in a modest room.
Cons: Deep-bass output is limited relative to its midbass result, so it is not the right choice for the lowest movie effects. The 1009.6H x 673.1W x 450.8D mm cabinet and 62.6 kg mass still need deliberate placement and calibration.
Full JBL 4645C review and specifications →
| CEA-2010-A Average (40-80Hz) | 127.3 dB |
|---|---|
| Cabinet Color | black |
| Country | United States |
| Dimensions | 39.7"H x 26.5"W x 17.7"D (1009.6 x 673.1 x 450.8 mm) |
| Drivers | 18" (457mm) driver |
| Enclosure | ported, front |
| Measurement Source | Data-bass |
| Output SPL at 20 Hz | 98.9 dB |
| Output SPL at 25 Hz | 114.0 dB |
| Output SPL at 31.5 Hz | 118.7 dB |
| Output SPL at 40 Hz | 122.0 dB |
| Output SPL at 50 Hz | 123.7 dB |
| Output SPL at 63 Hz | 129.7 dB |
| Output SPL at 80 Hz | 133.9 dB |
| Output SPL at 100 Hz | 135.1 dB |
| Output SPL at 125 Hz | 135.8 dB |
| Passive | Yes |
| Warranty | 5/3/2 |
| Weight | 138 lbs (62.6 kg) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Independently measured by Data-bass; the published figures above come from this ASR subwoofer measurement thread.
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- JBL 4645C vs Reaction Audio PV-15X
- JBL 4645C vs Monoprice Monolith 16 THX Ultra
- JBL 4645C vs Danley Sound Labs DTS10
- JBL 4645C vs JTR Speakers Growler (2015)
- JBL 4645C vs JTR Speakers Captivator S2
- JBL 4645C vs Pro Audio Technology LFC-24sm
- JBL 4645C vs WW Speaker Cabinets X21 - B&C 21DS115-4
- JBL 4645C vs HSU Research VTF-15H MK2
- See all 9 comparisons

